PropertyMaps.com responds to article in The Investor’s Business Daily
Original article: “A Remodel Opens Door For Yahoo” by Pete Barlas
Dear Mr. Barlas,
Your article mentions how PropertyMaps.com recently has added sex offender information to our map-based MLS real estate search. In the article, Phil Immel, a longtime broker for Prudential, states “It is available by public record, but do you really want to put it on a button to click on while you’re trying to sell someone a house?” This type of thinking is why lead-based paint was made a required disclosure by the Federal government in 1992. Why would someone not want to disclose sex offender information if it could easily be provided? Just to sell a house? PropertyMaps.com strongly disagrees with this attitude. Potentially life-changing information being relegated to a post-closing disclosure is too little, too late. We recognize that sex offender information is of no consequence to millions of home purchasers. But if you think that the buyer might care, then this is all the more reason why you should disclose it. We want to enable our users to make informed decisions by having as much relevant information as possible. If PropertyMaps.com helps just one child stay safe by making their parents aware of potential danger, then that is worth more than any amount of home sales to us.
Sincerely,
John M. Beck
President,
www.PropertyMaps.com
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I’m going to have to agree with you John. I think it is important to disclose all information to the potential home buyer when they are doing their search. The Prudential guy sounds like an arse, attempting to be PC, while hiding this information from the consumer. Prudential just wants the sale and they seem like they will do anything and everything to get that sale, including hiding this kind of information. I applaud propertymaps for this move.
Thank you for the support Steve. All the communication we’ve received from the public has been positive. It pays to do the right thing. A little later this year you’ll probably be seeing more discussion of this initiative in the national press.